What's involved with this role:

Job Title: Planning Ecologist

Reference: East Devon 5283765

Salary: £25.00 per hour PAYE with accrued holiday and pension contribution

Hours: 37 hours per week Monday-Friday

Role length: 5 months opening assignment

Job type: Hybrid

Location: East Devon



Contract Type: Temporary



The role: You will provide specialist ecological advice to support the Council’s planning and ecology functions. This includes assessing planning applications, reviewing ecological submissions and ensuring proposals meet national legislation, local policy and best practice. You will work closely with the Ecology Team, Planning Officers and developers to secure robust ecological outcomes, including Biodiversity Net Gain and compliance with the Habitat Regulations.



Key Responsibilities:

Review ecological reports submitted with planning applications, including PEAs, EcIAs, protected species surveys and Environmental Statements.
Advise on mitigation, enhancement and scheme design, ensuring compliance with environmental legislation and planning policy.
Assess Biodiversity Net Gain submissions, Statutory Biodiversity Metrics, HMMPs and Biodiversity Gain Plans, and guide officers on BNG requirements.
Support Appropriate Assessments under the Habitat Regulations and review shadow HRAs.
Offer pre-application ecological advice to influence high-quality, biodiversity-positive proposals
Work with related teams such as Trees, Landscape, Conservation and Planning, helping integrate ecology into wider casework.
Provide a professional, customer-focused service across the Council.



What the client is looking for:

Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
Professional membership of CIEEM or eligibility to obtain it.
Strong technical experience across ecological assessment and protected species.
Solid understanding of environmental legislation including the Environment Act and Habitat Regulations.
Practical experience of applying Biodiversity Net Gain within the planning process.
Confident communicator, able to write clear reports and manage a varied caseload.
Able to work independently and meet planning deadlines.





Desirable:

Experience with HRAs involving bat-related habitat sites or nutrient-affected catchments.
Experience covering more than one of the core ecological planning duties.



Special Requirements:

Full driving licence and access to a vehicle (reasonable adjustments considered).
Right to work in the UK.
Qualification checks, references and a Basic DBS will be required.


Please quote the Job Title & Vacancy Reference No. in your application, or we will be unable to match your CV to the role being applied for.


How to Apply:



Submit your CV and cover letter



If you do not hear from us within three working days, unfortunately your application has not been shortlisted on this occasion. Thank you for your interest in working with us.



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If you do not hear from us within three working days, unfortunately your application has not been shortlisted on this occasion. Thank you for your interest in working with us.
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Job Ref: East Devon 5283765


Anticipated Length of Assignment: Unless otherwise stated (we do carry the occasional permanent vacancy) all of our roles are technically temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Please do try to resist contacting us with requests for progress updates.

We really do read every CV sent to us. All applications will be acknowledged by a human, not a robot, provided the job remains live and provided your CV meets the “Essential Requirements” listed.

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Important: We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary.